‘D.J’ all focus

Darren ‘D.J.’ Binskin has seen much in his time in harness racing from when he was a youngster growing up as the son of one of Sydney’s best horsemen, the late John Binskin to becoming an accomplished trainer-driver in his own right.

Darren has been driving for more than 40 years and enjoyed the halcyon days of racing at Harold Park to now being a regular in the winners’ circle at the world class facility that is Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Binskin now resides at Menangle where he trains a small but select team of nine horses.

As a reinsman, Darren has driven a mammoth 1012 winners and while that is a satisfying achievement, he is more enthused by the fact that he may very well have his hands on a potential star in the shape of the Emilio and Mary Rosati owned pacer Focus Stride (Art Major).

The five-year-old will contest the Club Menangle Free For All this Saturday night (Jul. 23) which follows a hard-fought win at headquarters last weekend when he had to lift himself off the canvas to score.

That was the entire’s 10th win from just 24 starts and the third from four outings this season for Binskin.

“He is a very nice horse going places,” said Binskin

“I have had a high opinion of the horse ever since the day Emilio and Mary sent him to me.”

Focus Stride faces his toughest assignment to date when he takes on a class field and must contend with a wide barrier draw.

“Saturday night’s race will be a real test for him, but the horse keeps stepping up to the mark and I have no doubt he will again give a great sight,” said Binskin.

Not only is Darren optimistic about the future of Focus Stride, but he also has high hopes for other pacers in his care.

“I am only training a small team of pacers. I have some talented Saturday night class pacers and others that are very competitive of a Tuesday which suits me perfectly.”

“I would love to think that this horse is my passage back to competing on the Grand Circuit. Time will tell I guess but I do have confidence in him.”

For complete race fields for Menangle on Saturday, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW